American Express Cobalt® Card vs Scotia Momentum® Visa* Card: Which one is better?


American Express Cobalt® Card

American Express Cobalt® Card

5

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RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE*

300
Poor
560
Fair
660
Good
725
Very Good
760
Excellent

Scotia Momentum® Visa* Card

Scotia Momentum® Visa* Card

3

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RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE

300
Poor
560
Fair
660
Good
725
Very Good
760
Excellent

Finly Rebate

N/A

Rewards Breakdown

Annual Rewards

$1,041.82

American Express Membership Rewards


Welcome Bonus

$315

American Express Membership Rewards


Annual Fee

$155.8


First Year Value

$1,201.02

$886.02 in years after

Based on $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.

Rewards Breakdown

Annual Rewards

$309.89


Welcome Bonus

$0


Annual Fee

$39


First Year Value

$270.89

Based on $2,000/mo average spending. Calculate your rewards.

Insurance Included*

  • purchase protection

    Purchase Protection

    90 days
  • extended warranty

    Extended Warranty

    1 year

  • travel accident medical

    Emergency Out of province Medical

    15 days
  • hourglass timer

    Flight Delay

    $500
  • baggage on roller

    Baggage Delay

    $500
  • burglar

    Hotel Burglary Insurance

    $500
  • lost baggage

    Lost or Stolen Baggage

    $500
  • heart lock

    Travel Accident

    $250,000
  • car insurance

    Car Rental Damage & Theft

    Up to 48 days and $85k car MSRP
  • mobile device insurance

    Mobile Device Insurance

    $1000

Insurance Included

  • purchase protection

    Purchase Protection

    90 days
  • extended warranty

    Extended Warranty

    1 year

Extra Benefits*

  • Amex logo

    American Express Experiences

  • travel

    Travel Credit

    Book two or more consecutive nights at participating properties through The Hotel Collection with American Express Travel to receive a $100 credit for amenities or a complimentary room upgrade, if available.

Extra Benefits

  • car rental

    Car Rental Discount

    25% off base rate of Avis Rent A Car and Budget Rent A Car

Interest Rates*

Purchase:

21.99%1

Cash Advance:

21.99%1

Interest Rates

Purchase:

19.99%

Cash Advance:

22.99%

Annual Fee*

$155.8

Annual Fee

$39

Income Required*

Min Personal Income:

N/A

Min Household Income:

N/A

Income Required

Min Personal Income:

$60,000

Min Household Income:

$100,000

Welcome Bonus*

Earn 1,250 Membership Rewards® points for each monthly billing period in which you spend $750 in purchases on your Card in the first Year

Welcome Bonus

N/A

Rewards Rate*

  • 5x points per $1 spent in Restaurants, Fast Foods, Coffee Shops, Food delivery and Groceries up to 12,500 points monthly
  • 3x points per $1 spent on eligible streaming subscriptions in Canada
  • 2x points per $1 spent in standalone gasoline stations, Amex Travel online, travel services or local commuter transportation in Canada including ride share services
  • 1x point per $1 spent on all other purchases

Rewards Rate

  • 2% cashback on gas, groceries, drug store and recurring payments (maximum $500 annually)
  • 1% cashback on all other credit card purchases.

Loyalty Program

N/A

Point Redemption Options*

  • Most Optimal

    plane

    Transfer to Airline Partners

    2.1¢ / point
  • travel

    Fixed Point Travel Program

    1.66¢ / point
  • hotel

    Transfer to Hotel Partners

    1.66¢ / point
  • cash coins

    Statement Credits

    1¢ / point
  • gift card

    Gift Cards

    0.765¢ / point
  • amazon logo

    Amazon.ca

    0.7¢ / point
  • online shop

    Merchandise

    0.63¢ / point

Point Redemption Options

Not Applicable

Is this card worth it?

This card was voted the Best Credit Card in Canada by FinlyWealth. The rewards earned on this card for a person with average spending exceed those of other credit cards in Canada by a huge margin! In addition, the card has good benefit coverage, making it the best candidate to become the main credit card for the majority of people.

Is this card worth it?

The Scotiabank Momentum Visa is a low annual fee cash back card that offers impressive earn rates on a variety of everyday spending categories, making it an excellent choice for those who want to maximize rewards without the higher cost of its Visa Infinite counterpart.

Pros

  • Generous welcome bonus of up to 15,000 points
  • 4+ different ways of redeeming your points for great value
  • 10 different types of insurance, including travel
  • Often referred to as the Best Credit Card in Canada

Pros

  • Cash Back Rewards: Earn up to 2% cash back on purchases.
  • Low Balance Transfer Rate: Benefit from a 2.99% rate on balance transfers for the first 6 months.
  • No Welcome Bonus: No initial sign-up bonus, keeping things straightforward.

Cons

  • Less acceptance of American Express at different merchants across Canada
  • Not all types of travel insurance are covered, especially trip cancellation and interruption insurance

Cons

  • Limited Insurance Coverage: Only basic insurance is included.
  • Annual Rewards Payout: Cash back rewards are paid out once a year as a statement credit.

American Express Cobalt® Card vs Scotia Momentum® Visa* Card: When to go for one over the other


Annual Fees and Requirements


The American Express Cobalt Card and the Scotia Momentum Visa Card have a significant difference in annual fees. The Cobalt Card comes with a higher annual fee, reflecting its premium offerings and benefits. On the other hand, the Scotia Momentum Visa Card has a much lower annual fee, making it more accessible to a broader range of users. The Cobalt Card does not specify income requirements, while the Momentum Visa Card requires a minimum income, potentially restricting eligibility for some applicants.

Rewards Comparison


The American Express Cobalt Card offers a robust rewards program, particularly excelling in categories like dining and groceries, with higher points per dollar spent. This card also features a substantial welcome bonus for new users. Conversely, the Scotia Momentum Visa Card focuses on cashback rewards, providing a straightforward return on purchases like gas, groceries, and recurring bills. However, even if the Cobalt points are turned into cash, which isn't the best redemption method, the overall reward would still be substantially higher than what the Scotia Momentum offers for average spend users.

Reward Redemption Options


The American Express Cobalt Card provides flexible redemption options, allowing cardholders to convert points into travel rewards, statement credits, and more. This flexibility can be a significant advantage for those who frequently travel or seek to maximize the value of their rewards. In contrast, the Scotia Momentum Visa Card offers cashback that is typically redeemed once a year as a statement credit. While less flexible, this straightforward redemption is ideal for those who prefer a simpler rewards structure.

Benefits and Insurance


The American Express Cobalt Card outshines the Scotia Momentum Visa Card in terms of benefits and insurance coverage. It includes comprehensive travel insurance, purchase protection, and extended warranties, making it a strong choice for frequent travelers and those seeking extensive coverage. The Momentum Visa Card offers basic insurance, covering essentials like purchase protection and extended warranties, but lacks the more extensive benefits found with the Cobalt Card.

Card Network and Acceptability


The American Express Cobalt Card and the Scotia Momentum Visa Card differ in their acceptance. Visa is widely accepted globally and across a broad range of merchants. However, American Express is not as widely accepted, especially by smaller merchants, making the Cobalt Card less accepted than the Momentum Card. Therefore, it makes sense to carry a backup card alongside the Cobalt for situations where it isn’t accepted.

Conclusion


For most users, the American Express Cobalt Card is the better option due to its superior rewards program and comprehensive benefits, making it ideal for those who spend heavily in its bonus categories and seek travel perks. However, the Scotia Momentum Visa Card is a great choice for individuals who prefer a low-fee card with straightforward cashback rewards, especially if they do not require the extensive benefits offered by the Cobalt Card.

Legal


*American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, (I/we) may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment. Check for full details and current product information.
1 If you have 2 separate missed Payments, the applicable rates for your account will be 25.99%. If you have 3 or more separate missed payments, the applicable rates will be 28.99%.

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